Pipe wrench



July 15, 1941. E. J. QJAHNEL 2,249,290

PIPE WRENCH Filed Aug. 6, 1940 '2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor 4! win I filne/ A iiorney y 15, 1941- E. J. JAHNE'L 2,249,290

PIPE WRENCH Filed Aug. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A tiomey In ventor Patented July 15, 1941 1 Claim.

This invention relates to pipe wrenches and an object of the invention is to provide a wrench of this character particularly designed for use where it is difficult to use a straight pipe wrench, as for example where one is engaged in connecting pipe in ditches, on automobiles, and ma.- chinery.

Further in accordance with the invention the wrench may be readily transformed from a righthand to a left-hand wrench.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, means is provided whereby the ultimate in leverage may be obtained in the use of the wrench.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a wrench embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the wrench rotated 90 from the position shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the wrench.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are detail sectional views taken respectively on the lines 5-5, 6-45 and '|-1, respectively, of Figure 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment thereof the wrench comprises a tubular handle 5 provided at one end thereof with a head 6 and at a relatively opposite end thereof with a knob l.

Preferably head 6 is provided with an integral shank 8, and knob 'l is similarly provided with a shank 9.

The shanks 8 and 9 are accommodated within the respective opposite ends of the handle 5 and are secured therein by being welded to the handle 5, or in any other suitable manner made fast with said handle.

The head 6 has a slot H] therethrough that accommodates the threaded shank ll of a movable jaw I2.

Also the head 6 is provided on one side thereof with a tapered formation or projection E3 on opposite and inclined faces of which are detachably secured jaws l4 and IE to complement the jaw 12.

Each of the jaws l4, l5, as shown in Figure 4, is provided with a rib 16 that has a sliding fit in a groove I! provided therefor in the formation i3 and the jaws l4 and I5 are detachably secured in position on the head extension l3 through the medium of a screw l8 and washer is as best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

A salient feature of the invention is in having the teeth IQ of the jaw 20 curved transversely of the length of the jaw and the teeth 2| and 22,

respectively, of the jaws l4 and I5, respectively,

likewise curved transversely of the bodies of said jaws, with the curvature of the teeth 2| and 22, respectively, being reverse to the curvature of the teeth I9 whereby a more effective gripping action of the jaws on the work will result.

In this connection it will be understood that the jaw I4 is usable in complementing the jaw l2 when the wrench is to be used as a right-hand wrench, while the jaw l5 is usable and complements the jaw 12 when the wrench is to be used as a left-hand wrench; it being obvious that in order to transform the wrench from a right-hand wrench to a left-hand wrench, or vice versa, all

that is necessary is to insert the shank I I through the slot l2 in the head 6 from the proper end of the slot.

For the jaw l2 there is provided an actuator nut 23 that is accommodated within the head 6 and has the periphery thereof projecting beyond one side of the head through a slot 24 provided in the head for that purpose. Obviously by rotating the nut 23 the shank II will be caused to move through the head 6 in the desired direction for effecting proper adjustment of the jaw l2 relative to either of the jaws H1 or I5, as the case may be.

To retain the nut 23 against casual or accidental displacement there is suitably anchored within the head 6 a spring dog 25; the dog 25,

as shown in Figure 5, being anchored within the head at one end of the dog through the medium of a screw 26 and having a free end equipped as at 21 to engage the knurled periphery of the nut 23 as shown.

The aforementioned knob 1 on the free end of the handle 5 is provided, as shown, with a through opening 28 whereby a bar or other suitable instrument 29 may. be readily passed therethrough for use as a cross-handle for the Wrench and to provide for increased leverage when so used.

The construction, simplicity and advantages of a wrench embodying the features of the present invention are all believed to be clear from the foregoing.

It is to be understood, however, that while I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is in no wise intended to restrict the invention to the precise combination and arrangement of elements as plane of the head and extension and opposed to the latter, and a pair of jaw plates mounted on opposite sides of said extension, respectively, and oomplemental to said jaw, said member being removable from said head and insertible therein from opposite sides thereof to oppose the jaw to the plates, selectively, and thereby convert the wrench for right or left hand use, said plates being detachably attached to said extension, and means common to both plates for securing the same to said extension.

EDWIN J. JAHNEL. 

